Peer Support

Peer Support: A Shared Journey of Healing

Losing a baby or child is an unimaginable tragedy, and no one should have to go through it alone. At Red Nose, we offer Peer Support as a vital part of our Grief and Loss services. Our Peer Supporters are parents who have experienced the loss of a baby or child, and they provide a compassionate, understanding, and safe space for other families who are grieving.

The beauty of Peer Support lies in the shared experience – knowing that someone truly understands the depths of your grief because they’ve walked a similar path. It’s about feeling heard, finding hope, and knowing you’re not alone.

What is Peer Support?

Peer Support is about connecting with others who have lived through the same type of loss. Red Nose Peer Supporters are trained volunteers who use their lived experience to help guide and comfort other grieving families. They are there to listen, share their own experiences, and offer support to help others navigate the emotional journey of grief. The focus of Peer Support is on the grief itself, and the shared experience of loss.

How Peer Support Helps

Peer Support offers unique benefits for those who are grieving:

• Hope and Understanding: Speaking with someone who has gone through a similar experience can provide hope that healing is possible. Peer Supporters offer empathy and acceptance, giving grieving parents the reassurance that their feelings are normal.
• Encouragement to Share: It’s often easier to express deep emotions and difficult thoughts with someone who truly understands. Peer Support provides a safe space to talk about your baby or child, and encourages you to continue to bond with them, even in their absence.
• Practical Guidance: Peer Supporters also offer guidance on coping strategies, dealing with significant dates like anniversaries, and other grief-related challenges. Their lived experience means they can share what helped them and how they moved through tough moments.
• Reduced Isolation: Grief can feel isolating, but connecting with a Peer Supporter can help bereaved parents realize they are not alone in their pain. It shifts the experience from one of victimhood to one of survival and strength.

What Do Peer Supporters Do?

Our Peer Supporters play a vital role in supporting grieving families in many ways:

• 24/7 Support: They provide direct support through our Support Line and Live Chat, offering real-time assistance to families in distress.
• Education and Advocacy: Peer Supporters help educate healthcare professionals about the best ways to support grieving families, ensuring that parents receive compassionate care in hospitals.
• Support Groups & Remembrance Services: They facilitate support groups and help organize remembrance services, offering families the chance to connect with others in a group setting.

The Impact of Peer Support: What Our Supporters Say

Our Peer Supporters have shared what this role means to them:

• Jill: “Becoming a parent supporter wasn’t a choice for me. It was a natural progression of my grief. I didn’t want anyone to be alone in their pain. If I can offer a little hope, listen to their memories, or share my experience, I will. We do this in memory of our own children, but more importantly, we do it to support others as we were supported.”
• Sarah: “After losing my baby, speaking to someone who had truly experienced the same pain was a comfort I couldn’t find anywhere else. They understood in a way no one else could.”
• Jill (again): “I am a parent supporter because of my experience. I grieve just like everyone else. I can support others in a unique way—because I truly understand.”

How to Become a Peer Supporter

Becoming a Peer Supporter with Red Nose is an incredibly rewarding way to give back and help other families. To join, you must have experienced the loss of a baby or child yourself. Once selected, you will receive ongoing training and support to ensure that you can provide the best care for other families.

Learn More or Get Support

If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a Peer Supporter, or if you need support from one of our Peer Supporters, please reach out to our Grief and Loss Support team.

Phone: 1300 308 307
Email: support@rednose.org.au

We’re here to help you every step of the way.

Red Nose is committed to supporting families navigating the complexities of the loss of a baby or child. To access our specialised bereavement support including: counselling, peer support programs, support groups, and resources tailored to individual needs, click here.